This easy recipe for savory mashed sweet potatoes is the perfect side dish for busy weeknights or special occasions. The thyme and allspice add flavor without overwhelming the dish. The extra virgin olive oil and whole milk give the potatoes a light yet rich, creamy texture.
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The rich and creamy mashed sweet potatoes are the perfect side dish for almost any holiday meal. They’re deliciously seasoned with thyme and allspice. They’re so easy and quick to make you want to enjoy them throughout the year, even as a side dish on busy weeknight dinners. They come together in 30 minutes!
What’s more, sweet potatoes are as nutritious as they are delicious. They contain fewer calories and are higher in fiber, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C than their white counterparts. (Source: Cleveland Clinic Foundation infographic)
Why this recipe works
This recipe is a lighter, healthier version of this classic dish since it swaps out the butter and heavy cream in favor of extra virgin olive oil and a little whole milk. They’re so rich, creamy, and flavorful; nobody will believe how healthy they are!
Ingredients to use for this recipe
- Sweet potatoes
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Whole milk (can be substituted with 2% milk, or for a vegan version, use plant-based milk).
- Thyme leaves
- Ground allspice
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
How to make these savory mashed sweet potatoes
These savory mashed sweet potatoes are so easy to make. Just boil a few pounds of sweet potatoes, mash them, and add seasonings. Here’s a step-by-step:
- Place the peeled, cubed sweet potatoes into a saucepan. Fill with cold water until the potatoes are covered with about 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer the potatoes until they are fork-tender, approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Once the potatoes are cooked, drain thoroughly and return to the pot. Mash the sweet potatoes well with a potato masher or a fork until creamy.
- Season the mashed sweet potatoes with salt and pepper to taste. Add the thyme, allspice, and milk, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Stir to combine. For a thinner consistency, add more milk if desired.
- Transfer the potatoes to a serving bowl.
- Use the back of a spoon to smooth out the surface of the mashed potatoes.
- Serve immediately topped with a spoonful of toasted walnuts, if desired.
Variations
This recipe for mashed potatoes is quick, easy, and delicious. It’s also vegetarian-friendly, as written. Simply swap whole milk for an equal amount of your favorite vegan alternative to make it vegan-friendly. Of course, you can also omit the milk altogether. The result will be a mashed potato dish that is just as flavorful but a bit less creamy.
Serving suggestions
These easy savory mashed sweet potatoes are one of my favorite side dishes. They are so easy to make and flavorful. In addition, their vibrant orange color makes any weeknight, holiday, or dinner party spread brighter!
Here are some ideas for main dishes to serve it with:
- Mediterranean White Fish with Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade
- Easy Roasted Chicken with Rosemary and Lemon
- Baked Monkfish Fillet
- Sheet Pan Pork Chops With Garlic Broccoli!
Notes and Cooking Tips
Sweet potatoes become tender quickly when you boil them, particularly when cut into cubes. Depending on the size of the cubes, they will take around 15 to 20 minutes to soften. Check whether they are soft enough to mash by piercing them with a fork or a sharp knife.
Storing leftovers
Store any leftover sweet potatoes in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
More Side Dish Recipes
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Sage
- Green Beans Amandine
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Parsnips and Carrots
- Easy Air Fryer Roasted Baby Potatoes
- Easy Oven-Roasted Asparagus
If you don’t recognize a tool or skill I mention, look it up in the Cooking Terms Glossary for more information.
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Easy Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 lbs (4-5large) sweet potatoes peeled and cubed
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves minced
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- Walnuts halves optional, toasted for garnish
Instructions
- Place the peeled, cubed sweet potatoes into a saucepan. Fill with cold water until the potatoes are covered with about 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer the potatoes until they are fork-tender, approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Once the potatoes are cooked, drain thoroughly and return to the pot. Mash the sweet potatoes well with a potato masher or a fork until creamy.
- Season the mashed sweet potatoes with salt and pepper to taste. Add the thyme, allspice, and milk, and drizzle with the extra virgin olive oil. Stir to combine. For a thinner consistency, add more milk if desired.
- Transfer the potatoes to a serving bowl.
- Use the back of a spoon to smooth out the surface of the mashed potatoes.
- Serve immediately topped with a spoonful of toasted walnuts, if desired.
Notes
- Sweet potatoes become tender quickly when you boil them, particularly when cut into cubes. Depending on the size of the cubes, they will take around 15 to 20 minutes to soften. Check whether they are soft enough to mash by piercing them with a fork or a sharp knife.
- Store any leftover sweet potatoes in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
This information is provided as a courtesy and for entertainment purposes only. This information comes from online calculators. Although eatmediterraneanfood.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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Did a test run of these and they were a hit. Will include on our Thanksgiving menu! They are delicious.
This felt so satisfying! I paired it with my roasted chicken and even my 1-year-old licked the plate clean!
The perfect side dish! Easy and delicious! i just added a pinch of cinnamon!
I never would have thought to make sweet potatoes savory! Great idea and love the recipe! Turned out great.
I made your mashed sweet potatoes as a side dish for our Thanksgiving dinner. What a huge hit!!
Looved the spices in these taters – they really balanced out the sweetness! Yum!
So light and creamy, this went down an absolute treat! Already looking forward to reheating and enjoying the leftovers!